DARK WEB MONITORING: ESSENTIAL SAFEGUARD OR WASTED SPEND?

Megan Poljacik • June 26, 2025

With growing concerns about data breaches and stolen credentials, many businesses feel pressured to invest in services that claim to scan the dark web for leaked information. But before committing resources, it's worth asking whether these tools actually provide meaningful information or if they are an unproductive expenditure.


The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that you can’t reach with standard browsers or search engines. It operates using a system called Tor, which stands for The Onion Router. Tor keeps users anonymous by sending their internet traffic through several different servers around the world, encrypting the data each time. This makes it extremely difficult to trace who someone is or where they’re connecting from. Unlike regular websites that end in .com or .org, dark web sites usually end in .onion and require the Tor browser to access them. While some people use the dark web for legitimate reasons like protecting their privacy or avoiding censorship, it’s mostly associated with hosting illegal activities like online black markets, where stolen corporate data is sold. 

Dark web monitoring tools are often marketed as essential, but in reality, they offer limited value. Once your personal data has been exposed on the dark web, the damage is already done. Rather than relying on these reactive tools, a proactive approach is far more effective. Implementing 2 factor authentication and regularly updating your passwords and using strong, unique credentials for each account significantly reduces the risk of data breaches. In most cases, consistently practicing good password hygiene makes dark web monitoring unnecessary.


Investing in tools that directly enhance your organization’s cybersecurity—such as advanced threat detection, endpoint protection, employee training, and incident response—offers a far greater return than spending on dark web monitoring services. While monitoring may provide occasional alerts, focusing resources on proactive, preventative measures is a smarter and more impactful strategy for keeping your business secure in today’s evolving threat landscape.




Uncomplicate IT News Blog

PENETRATION TESTING VS VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT

By Megan Poljacik • May 29, 2025
When it comes to protecting your company’s infrastructure, two commonly used terms often cause confusion: vulnerability management and penetration testing. While they both serve the same purpose of keeping your data secure, they work very differently. Think of your company’s IT infrastructure like a museum that stores priceless artifacts. To keep it secure, you wouldn’t just install locks and hope for the best. You’d want to routinely check those locks, ensure windows are closed properly, and perhaps even hire someone to test how easy it is to break in. This is basically the difference between vulnerability management and penetration testing.

MICROSOFT COPILOT: REVOLUTIONIZING SMALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

April 29, 2025
This newsletter was written entirely by Microsoft Copilot in Word, simply by entering the following prompt: “Write a newsletter that is 300-400 words describing the value of Microsoft CoPilot to small businesses citing specific real world examples.” Microsoft CoPilot is a game-changer for small businesses, offering a suite of tools designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and foster innovation. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, CoPilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's suite of Office applications, providing businesses with a robust support system to navigate their daily operations with ease. Enhanced Productivity One of the primary benefits of Microsoft CoPilot is its ability to boost productivity. For instance, a small marketing agency can utilize CoPilot to automate routine tasks such as generating reports, scheduling social media posts, and even drafting content. By reducing the time spent on these repetitive activities, team members can focus on more strategic initiatives, ultimately driving growth and success. Streamlined Workflows CoPilot's integration with tools like Microsoft Teams and Outlook ensures that communication and collaboration are more efficient than ever. Consider a small retail business that relies heavily on team coordination. CoPilot can help by organizing meetings, setting reminders, and managing email correspondence. This ensures that all team members are on the same page, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication and errors. Fostering Innovation Innovation is crucial for the survival and growth of any business, and Microsoft CoPilot serves as a catalyst for creativity. For example, a small tech startup can leverage CoPilot to analyze market trends, brainstorm new product ideas, and even prototype designs. By providing valuable insights and recommendations, CoPilot empowers businesses to stay ahead of the competition and continuously evolve. Real-World Examples Several small businesses have already reaped the benefits of Microsoft CoPilot. A local bakery, for instance, used CoPilot to optimize its inventory management, reducing waste and ensuring timely replenishment of ingredients. This not only cut costs but also improved overall efficiency. Another example is a small consulting firm that employed CoPilot to automate its client billing process, ensuring accuracy and saving valuable time. In summary, Microsoft CoPilot is an invaluable tool for small businesses, offering unparalleled support in enhancing productivity, streamlining workflows, and fostering innovation. By leveraging the power of AI, CoPilot enables businesses to operate more efficiently and creatively, ensuring long-term success in a competitive marketplace.

ON PREM VS. SASE: WHICH FIREWALL IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

By Megan Poljacik • March 27, 2025
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and the persistent threat of cyberattacks. There are many layers of defense in the onion of cyber security, but at the helm is your firewall. Traditionally firewalls have always been the piece of hardware acting as a barrier between your office network and the wilds of the internet. Then in 2020 the way we work was transformed forever by the global pandemic. Nearly a third of the workforce transitioned to remote, leaving offices empty. Many employees continue to work in non-traditional spaces to this day. How can we defend them against cyberattacks if they are outside the protective reach of an on premise firewall? A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Think of it as a moat with a bridge and a guard shack that surrounds a castle. The guards and the moat are the firewall, acting as a barrier and between a trusted internal network (the castle) and untrusted external networks (random people trying to get in), helping to prevent unauthorized access to and from the castle while allowing legitimate traffic to pass through. The outside forces have to “check in” with the guards before they can cross the moat and access the castle.
More Posts